Robin

A nice 10K this month...

2008-04-13T15:12:00.002-04:00

James Joyce Ramble 10 K
April 27th in Dedham, MA
www.ramble.org for more information

This is a great race. I will not be running it this year, but I highly recommend it. You can find out more info at the website above.

To quote the site and the race's 2008 Human Rights Dedication:

"Our focus remains on journalists whose safety all over the world has become a great concern for those who believe in and practice democracy. The killing, torturing and imprisoning of journalists contribute to the inevitable erosion of freedom of speech and expression, which are protected in the USA by the First Amendment, and internationally by Article 19 of the (Universal) Declaration of Human Rights. Unfortunately, these are violated regularly throughout many parts of the globe and even right here in the United States.

Abdul Kareem Nabil Suleiman did what thousands of young bloggers around the world do everyday: he logged onto his computer and typed in his thoughts about the politics of his country, criticizing both the Egyptian government and religious authorities. For this, the 23 year old former student, widely known on the Internet as "Karim Amer", was arrested and sentenced in February 2007 to four years in prison on charges including "incitement to hate Islam", "defaming the President of the Republic", and "spreading information disruptive of public order". Abdul Kareem Nabil Suleiman has been jailed solely on account of the peaceful expression of his views. Egypt's Penal Code, including Articles 102, 176, and 179, stipulate prison sentences for the mere exercise of the rights of freedom of expression, thought, conscience, and religion.

We Join Amnesty International in imploring Egypt to reconsider its Penal Code in regard to freedom of expression and call for Suleiman's immediate release."

If you're in town or nearby, this is a fun race, nice course, and for a good cause.

My own race schedule is next to come....

i have an idea & it's quite simple

2008-04-06T15:14:00.005-04:00

So yesterday G moved out. The place is much bigger. She ate rather healthy, so I don't really know why I am convinced that now I will find myself eating healthier. But I know I will.

Yesterday morning, I went to Grafton to be with my peeps. It was a 12 miler (they only have an 8 miler to go before the big dance). I saw J. Now, I have noticed J a few Saturdays this season already. He is much faster than '06 when we ran. Now, he's toward the head of the pack. Amazing. I had to ask him the question: Was he injured in '06 when we ran, or did he really get that much better? No, he was not injured, he replied. He just got THAT much better. Wow.

Today, several of my other peeps were going riding out in Dover. It was cold. I am not ready for cold riding. I am not ready for the Dover outside ride, regardless of weather. I went to the gym. I did a spin class, 20 minutes on the elliptical, and a 25 minute core conditioning class. I also have my 1st PT appointment tomorrow with CeeDee. Hopefully, we'll have a new name for him soon, but now, he's simply CeeDee. I'm hoping for Master PT God, but we'll see.

Okay, here's the dealio: I have hit my limit. My tipping point. I still have a lot of work with the job transition, however, this cannot keep up. So how can I keep focus?

Here is my simple idea: I have decided to actually make a race schedule. Yes, it's hard to do right now since I am not running, (and working a bit here and there) but I can create a first cut at a race schedule and modify as the PT, and eventually the running, progresses.

Right now, I will say that since I'm not running, I'm holding out for RTB and will throw in a longer-distance aquabike tri, a few full sprints, and maybe a full oly. I am erring on the side of caution with my running---hoping to build up slowly to the 15-16 miles I'll need to run in mid-September. I built up quickly last summer and I'm feeling a bit that this is what contributed to the plantar fascitis.

Race schedule to come. I think that will be a big motivator.

thanks - quick update -- more detailed update to come...

2008-03-31T22:00:00.004-04:00

Hey -- thanks to those of you who asked.

Long story short:

Job is great. Organization is great. Students are great. Co-workers are great. (To Lisa, in inaugural RTB fashion...."It's greaaaaat.")

Job is taking up A LOT of my time right now. New job transition, so it was anticipated. It's all good, though.

Ummm, except one thing: I did anticipate balancing my training and exercise much better than I have been. Ready for this? I started mid-February, so, oh, I have been there about 7 weeks now. I hope you're seated. I am actually starting my 8th week. In 8 weeks, I have managed to gain ~8-10 lbs. Yeah, that is right. I have exercised about 3 times within this period. Once with my coach, one spinning class last Monday, and another spinning class tonite.

I tried last week and only made it to spinning once. I hit my ceiling this weekend. My tipping point, if you will. No more. I went to spinning tonight and will need to get moving this week.

This must change.

So, thanks to those of you who wrote and asked how I'm doing. I'm doing great. Outside of this one thing. This one thing that affects so many other things. So, I'm starting to balance a bit better. That doesn't mean less hours (the transition still calls for a good number of hours) what it does mean is:

Exercising now -- a lot more

Transitioning the exercising to training once again

Getting my foot to PT (I have appointments that begin next week)

Start running as soon as my PT gives me the go ahead

Get into a resistance program at the gym

Get into the pool (and see if swim buddy will be at the Pond in June and if he can go earlier to accomodate my work schedule)

I could go on, but this is enough for now...... #s 1-3 are good enough for now. baby steps.

St. Croix Tri is 1st week of May. I plan to do it, but just do it, now. Like, get through it. And enjoy the sun. And go snorkeling. And go snorkeling. Oh yeah, I just said that. And more snorkeling. :-)

And is it so bad to say that I want to start running now for Reach The Beach?!!!? I don't want push my running. As I loose the 10 lbs, (priority folks....) I can push the biking and even the swimming (which is soo bad right now), but the plan is to ease back into the running so I can get over the plantar fasciitis, because there is nothing worse than not being able to throw on my running shoes and take a whirl around the Charles. Or up & down the hills of my neighborhood.

Soon enough. I sure hope this new PT is good. (Yeah! I have a new PT! I need someone with evening hours due to the new job. Can you believe it? If you were following my blog 2 yrs ago, I'm sure you, too, cannot believe I am not going to my 'PT God'. But alas, I need evening hours and he has left his group practice to open his own in a few months....maybe he will have evening hours.....we shall see. New PT guy has no idea of the standards he is being held to.... I am told, however, he specializes in feet and I'm all over that.)

I'm off. I plan to check and see what's up with you over the next couple weeks. Thanks for checking in with me. I appreciate it. I am alive.

Needless to say, my triathlon goals have altered a bit this season. I'll post these "revised goals" once I have two visit at the PT (after next Wednesday). I do have the Cohasset Tri in June, in my schedule, though. (Meaning, I have actually registered and paid for this race.) They are racking my team together in transition. Fun stuff.

Peace and be well everyone! Will be back end of next week.

Happy training. :)

Just how hydrated are you?

2008-02-19T00:05:00.000-05:00

Hey -- you might be interested in this if you are like me and hate taking a multi-vitamin because you cannot tell how hydrated you are, since the vitamin makes your urine bright yellow.

This is taken from the Nov. 2007 issue of Women's Health magazine:

"If you've trained your guts out for a race and don't want anything to go wrong, try HydraTrend, a DIY kit that measures your pee's density and pH, two scientific indicators of hydration. Simply whiz on the strip, wait 30 seconds, and compare the strip's color with those on the chart for an accurate take on how hydrated you are. The process, albeit a bit nerdy, is super-helpful if you take vitamins, which can discolor your urine, or if a day of hiking at high altitiude leaves you bone dry. ($25 for 50 strips, uridynamics.com)"

I haven't yet checked out the website, but I do plan to do so this week.

W1 / D1

2008-02-18T21:44:00.001-05:00

185.0

Hangover Classic 5K & Plunge

2008-01-01T22:55:00.000-05:00

Hangover Classic 5K
January 1, 2008
Salisbury, MA

Results:

35:58 (11:34 pace) per my watch
36:08 (11:37 pace) per the race clock as I crossed
32:08 (10:21 pace) per the official results

Well, isn’t THAT interesting? I should go with the official results, but I honestly think my watch was the most accurate. The good thing is that I wasn’t too concerned about my time today because:
(1) I gained quite a bit of weight, so I knew I’d be slower,
(2) my last race was Oct. 21st,
(3) my last run, I believe, was also Oct. 21st, so I knew slow mojo had set in...there was no denying it,
(4) my foot is still experiencing some discomfort, and
(5) to some extent, who cares what my time was—given the last four reasons and the fact is that I do this race for the ocean plunge anyway.

It was a fun race, no doubt. It was cold and windy, but I was dressed for the conditions. I planned to do the 10 run/1 walk thing, but that was a little off from the beginning when I looked at my watch and it said I had already been running for ~11:15 minutes. I could certainly tell—even just this far into the race—that I hadn’t been running for about 9 weeks, that’s for sure. I should have been able to run this race in 29 minutes, but I instead finished in 36 minutes. Or was it 32? :-) (It was probably the time on my watch, which was sub 36:00, mind you….)

So, what’s my story this race? I met another nice young boy. Noah is 10 years old and “caught up” to me when I was walking for a minute and let out a big sigh. He explained he was tired and couldn’t wait for the water at the end. I learned about his (overly?) ambitious mom who was hoping to do her first triathlon this year and was already registered for six. His leg hurt, but as soon as he saw the finish line (which he anticipated was coming up due to a landmark her remembered on the run out) he was going to “book it” to the end for some water. This was his second race; his first was Thanksgiving Day.

We walked for a couple minutes, and told him I was going to start running when we approached the orange cones up ahead. Once we did, I took off.

As I rounded the corner, I saw Robin and told her to cheer on my new friend Noah as he came ‘round. At the finish, I saw Robin. When I turned to take a look for Noah, there he was ducking under the rope about 20 feet from the finish (where they had a table with water, but he probably didn’t see that) to grab a bottle of water from a box sitting on the ground on the opposite side of the rope. He looked so happy. I think he thought since he had the water, he also crossed the finish line. I yelled, “Noah, you gotta run up there! That’s the finish line!” Astonished, I got an “OH!” in return and on he went. I think he was happier to have the water in hand. Good for him. He has his priorities all set.

I saw Peter a minute or two after and the three of us headed to the water. (When I first arrived that morning, I had actually doubted my plunge prospects due to the cold and wind. Can you believe it? But then, once in the bar awaiting the race start, I saw Lisa H.. She was still in. Then, I saw Ken. He was visibly excited about his prospective plunge. What was I thinking? I was totally in!) I stopped at the car, got my bag and we headed down. By this time, there was also a snow/rain mix coming down. Peter was nice to bring me an extra (and extra big!) towel, and coffee in a thermos for afterwards. What I didn’t know (at the time) was that he also brought his camera. I found this out as I was exiting the ocean. Initially horrified, within a bit of time, I was glad that he actually took a picture. That was very thoughtful. When I get it, I’ll throw it up here.

Robin & Peter were great. Robin came to watch but also helped me get my wet clothes off and put on my socks! I used the third towel which came in extremely handy and even took some warm coffee walking back to the bar! (It was so cold, the outside temperature even altered the coffee’s temp in the thermos!) As I said though, having been a spectator at this event four years ago after my first run here, it looks much worse that it actually is. Trust me—it’s not that bad. If you are thinking about it, just do it.

After a quick stop in the bar and dropping my stuff off at the car, we headed down to try and see Dave, Lisa & Ken, but I think we missed them, so we headed off to Robin & Jeff’s for a little New Year’s gathering. (Very fun…Thanks Robin & Jeff!)

Nice way to start the New Year. Some exercise, a jump in the ocean, and the company of good friends. Happy New Year.

Annual End of Year Race Report: 2007

2007-12-31T20:05:00.000-05:00

End of the Year Report, 2007

Technically, this is my 3rd tri season (especially since I know I’m writing my 3rd End of Year Report!), but it felt like my second, since last season was riddled with injury—specifically with a pretty bad stress fracture right after the Boston Marathon in April 2006 which led right into tri season that year. Nevertheless, 2007 was a fun year, and while last year I completed my first marathon, this year—even though I am still a beginner triathlete—I completed my first Half Ironman.

JANUARY

I started off the year on the right foot. My friend Julie introduced me to my coach and I began taking indoor cycling classes twice a week with a group of people. I got Daniel in on it, too. I actually needed to phone him a couple of days ago to ask when we started because it surely seemed like about two years. In fact, he told me we started January of this year. “Are you sure?” I asked. He was. When we hung up, I went to my archives and sure enough, I found an entry in January that showed me that I did, in fact, start the beginning of January. (Many of the people I’ve been cycling with now I have only known less than one year; it was just so hard for me to believe this!!)

Anyway, what I additionally found was interesting: After a couple of weeks at indoor cycling, I told Tony my plans—warm up with the Aqua Bike at Patriot and do my 1st Half IM at Timberman. He said to do Patriot as my first Half IM instead [see Jan. 16th post]. I commented that this was six weeks earlier that what I had planned, but he said that we can be ready. So, that day—on January 16th—I registered for the Patriot Half Ironman.

January also started off on the right foot, because I ran the Hangover Classic on New Year’s Day. [RR posted Jan 2nd.] This was my 3rd year running and my 2nd consecutive year doing the Ocean Plunge! This year was much warmer than the year before; fingers & toes didn’t freeze! I am hoping that Jan 1st 2008 will be warm! Given the snow we’ve been getting this month, I’ve been a little concerned – but I will still plunge. I think it is good luck for the new year! January 2007 had me still getting back to running (I started up again in the fall of 2006 after the stress fracture), so I was quite happy with my time for this 5K. (32:26; pace 10:26).

FEBRUARY & MARCH

My February and March months were spent in indoor cycling class, as well as swim class. Ran on my own, but no road races. This was mostly because Saturdays were spent with Team in Training (TNT) doing water stops, mentoring, and volunteering. Sundays were combined swim/bike class. Road races are mostly on the weekends, but my weekends were full.

Although the weekends were packed, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention TNT. It was a huge part of my experiences in 2007 and consumed a lot of time, in a very positive sense, from December through April. I met even more TNT people in 2007 doing water stops than when I was running in 2006. A great group of people, truly. I was happy about my decision to not train to run Boston, but rather train my thumbs to navigate the buttons on water jugs. :-)

APRIL

I had planned to run the Cohasset 10K. I ran in 2005 and it was one of my favorite road races. I was injured at this time in 2006 [yep, again, just a couple weeks out from Boston, that’s right – see April 3, 2006 entry]. However, I had a bike test scheduled on April Fool’s Day this year and that was more important than the 10K, so I took the test instead. I am looking forward to this race in 2008, though. It really is a nice course and part of it is along the ocean.

The morning of April 22nd, I got up and decided to run the Doyle’s 5 Miler in JP. It was a fun morning and I saw people from Team Envision, TriFury, TNT, and my swim/bike group. [RR posted April 22nd— 53:20; 10:40 pace).

One week later, I ran the James Joyce Ramble 10K in Dedham. I decided to run this one the night before. Marla and I met there and ran. We saw Cara Bradley, which was nice, as I hadn’t seen Cara in a quite while. [RR posted April 30th. 1:06:42; pace 10:44…actually it was more like 1:04 something, but whatever…]. This race is a nice course, hilly at times, and it dedicated in memory/honor of a person who fights for human rights.

My pace was not really improving much, but I was having fun at all of the races, and I was running, so I was happy this Spring.

On April 16th, I volunteered at the Boston Marathon with TNT. At Mile 20.5, we had our TNT table. I was with Tom, Nancy, and Coach Lori. I was able to cheer many people on and I also met Lindsey here. From here, we ran (almost) the rest for the way in. We made the turn at Hereford and half way up Hereford, we could see her Mom and peeps at the corner of Hereford and Boylston. I said goodbye and she kept running. I ran back to see Dave T. for a moment. I heard that Maggie was still out there, so I went to check. As I ran out, I saw her walking with her boyfriend. So, I ran back to Hereford & Boylston to meet up with Dave T. again. We walked back to the hotel to meet the marathon finishers there.

A few other notes from April:

Hair Donation: My hair finally was the right length and I went to the salon on the corner and had Orize cut off my hair. I sent it in soon afterwards. Right after Orize cut it, I had her color it red once again! [Pictures were posted on May 2nd.]

Misc. April Bike Notes:

* I also got new road pedals (vs. SPD pedals, and that took some getting used to.)

* I was scared of my bike. [Entry, April 20th.]

* I had my first-evah coached bike class outside in April. I had met Alex for the 1st time (I cannot believe I have only known some of these people since January – April this year!) I actually referred to him as “helper-guy” on my website. He’s a good guy. Also, I fell…in front of my coach. Then, he put me on a side street cycling in figure eights. It did help. But I left wondering if he was regretting he took me into his class. [Entry, April 21st.]

Needless to say (but I’ll say it anyway), April was a big month in 2007.

MAY

May was a big “practice and progression” month for ‘me and my bike’. I had planned to do one road race, but due to bike class, I opted out. I was going to do the Run To Remember. Again, I had run it last year (with TNT, as part of training) and it was a rather fun race, running through the city and ending in front of the Seaport Hotel/World Trade Center. Originally, I first switched from the Half Marathon to the 5 Miler option because of the Mooseman Quarter Iron (Olympic) which was around the corner. Then, I decided not to do it altogether, due to bike class that day. (And I needed the bike sessions given the Mooseman’s famous “devil hill”.)

May was an interesting bike month in terms of progression. At the beginning of May, I went on my first Mooseman Recon ride. I got to a “new low” of 4 mph on my bike and clipped out about ~5-6 times on the hills. [May 9th entry.] Shortly after, I began weekly Thursday coached rides with Trifury and Coach Sharon and Lisa. On the first ride, I did six hill repeats and was so happy that I didn’t fall over! [May 11th entry.]

May was also certainly a month for reconnaissance rides, as I also did my first ride on the Patriot course on May 12th with Tony & the crew. We did the two loop course and Marla & I pretty much got pushed around the 1st loop by Tony, which was the only reason we were able to ride the 1st loop in 1:38. [May 14th entry.]

Training weekend was this month, too! This is always a fun weekend. And this weekend Trifury and Team Envision shared the weekend, so we did some things jointly, including flexing and stretching our vocal chords. [For entry and pictures, see May 21st post.] I also attempted my 2nd Mooseman Recon ride during training weekend was very pleased that I did not have to clip out once—not even up “the devil hill”.

The end of this month brought for me my longest training workout since running the Boston Marathon. The crew rode with Coach Tony in Sharon, MA and we did our own Sufferfest. We did a long brick of 55 miles on the bike and followed it with a 6 mile run on the track. [Entry, May 27th.] Afterwards, Tony said were all ready for the Patriot Half IM. The following day [Entry May 28th], I did my first open water swim of the season in Boxford at Stiles with Trifury. I needed to get out in the open water before Mooseman, so I went, but I remained in the back of the pack for most of the swim. Lisa was great, staying with me much of the time in the back.

JUNE

June was my first Olympic Triathlon—the Mooseman Quarter Iron—on June 2nd. [Race Report posted June 15th.] My overall time was 4:04:17. (Splits were Swim—42:02; T1—9:30; Bike—1:51, pace 14.6*; T2—5:53; Run 1:15:05, pace 12:05.) Actually that was my ‘official’ bike time, but my bike time on my watch was actually 1:46, pace 15.7. That was because I came out of T1 with mud and dirt stuck in my cleat and I couldn’t clip in. Per my watch, that took five minutes. This is important to note, as I really wanted to see how I would do on the bike. 14.6 would not have made me a happy lady. I was OK with 15.7 on this bike course. I pretty much blew up on the run but Robin was there on her bike speaking words of encouragement which helped A LOT. (Thanks.) I know I said my coaches are great, but I also feel I should state, for the record, that I not only have awesome coaches, but pretty awesome team mates. And I’m lucky they’re all my friends, too.

The rest of June was spent gearing up for Patriot, my first Half Iron, coming in less than a month.

JULY

Pretty much my only post in July was my Race Report for Patriot. This Race Report/ Entry was written and posted on July 9th. It says it all—times, stories, actual quotes, and of course, pictures. So, I won’t post anything about it here….except that I will say here, again, that my coaches, team mates and friends are all really (really) good peeps.

I will just add quickly that in late July, I did volunteer at Danskin as a swim angel. This was my 2nd time. After doing it last year by default (couldn’t race/injured), I did it this year by choice, instead of racing. And, if I’m around next year that weekend, I’ll do it again. It really is a fun time. And rather amazing to watch.

July was also a trip to Lake Placid again this summer for IMUSA 2007. This year, I was healthy enough to ride my bike, so I rode the course (one loop). Hard, and fun. This year's race had sooo many Trifurians completing it. Additionally, it was Lisa and Helen's first. Congratulations to all once again.

AUGUST

With Patriot over, I was now prepping for Timberman, which occurred on Aug. 19th. I decided (and boy, was I glad I did) to switch to the Aqua Bike since I had Jocelyn and Alex’s wedding the night before. This meant being up at Lake Winnespaukee Friday night into Saturday (for the Sprint Saturday morning), driving to Gloucester, Mass that afternoon for the wedding and returning late that evening back to Lake Winnespaukee to get up at the crack of dawn to the Half Iron (minus the run…after my well thought out decision, thank you). It also meant a tight time frame to Gloucester due to the need to rack one’s bike in the transition area the day before, which, in turn, necessitated changing into wedding guest attire in the backseat of a car as we pulled up to fuel said car, but that’s enough about that…..

Great wedding, happy to be there, and glad I decided to forego the run, in advance (because DNF was not an option….)

The day was great. The water wasn’t as choppy as the Sprint triathletes had the day before. Per my Race Report [posted Aug 31st], I started out not clocking my first 12 miles on the bike and went much slower than I should have (and I’m sure I could have gone a bit faster). I did a pretty good job making up speed after that, but it just wasn’t enough. Still, I had a good time and will do this race (the full Half IM) one day. The Timberman Sprint was my very first triathlon, and it’s always fun-packed weekend. Results: Total—4:39:21; Swim—50:58, T1—6:52; Bike—3:41:32, pace 15.2, rank 42; Place 20/26 (females); 46/52 (overall).

Luckily for me, I was able to do a Recon ride of this course this year. In 2005 I rode it a handful of times with Liz Hamp, who was training for her 1st Half IM. As I was doing the Sprint that year, I was well trained for the bike portion. However, I hadn’t been on the course in ’06, so I was really feeling a need to get out there this season in ’07. Cesar, Dan, and I rode the course on an extremely hot day; I think it was the Saturday of the 1st weekend in August. I don’t remember temps, but I think it was high, high 90s. I remember being concerned, as Dan & I rode one loop, but Cesar was making this one of his long IM Louisville prep rides, so he was out solo for another loop. While Dan & I were in the oh-so refreshing lake, Cesar was headed out for another loop. (It all paid off well in the end for him in Kentucky, though.) And, although Dan was much faster on the bike, he really didn’t mind to wait every so often for moi. Even better—since he really didn’t seem to mind, I could take the anxiety down a few notches (actually to the point where it was non-existent—I hate holding people up!) so thanks, Dan.

The following day Cesar and I swan at Walden—TWO MILES! This was huge! This was our longest swim. We had been swimming together at Walden and I felt like I was getting the big end of the stick here. Why? Basically because we were following the swim portion of his IM training schedule. So, I was pretty much swimming for an IM. I was psyched because mentally, I thought to myself, if I could swim 2 miles, well, then surely I could swim the 1.2 miles at Timberman—even if Lake Winnespaukee was as choppy as it was last year, whitecaps and all! It was actually fun, and very motivating, having a swim buddy the whole season. And I got to know one of my teammates a bit more and was also able to get very excited about his first IM, which is a huge accomplishment! (Congrats again.)

In addition to swimming two miles in August, I also (for the very first time) was able to manage to take out my water bottle from the back cage. And put it back in the cage after a drink. All while riding. For those of you who don’t ride a bike, or for those of you who have no issues with this maneuver, I’ll just say this was a huge feat. The ultimate breakthrough. Until this day, I always had to stop, clip out, and switch bottles when I was done with the bottle in my front cage. That day, I became a free woman. [Entry posted Aug. 11th.] Actually, I really became a free woman, because as I look back at this post, I see that on the same ride, I actually rode by myself…all alone…for a 4th loop. This was the very first time I ever rode alone off of the Minuteman (shh…. ). I was a free woman, but we have yet to find out if I am a self-sufficient free woman, as the ride was uneventful (translation = no flats). Although, while there were two of us (so I know it doesn’t really truly count), I still have to add that it wasn’t too long ago that Liz & I figured out how to use the C02 cartridge all on ‘our’ own.

SEPTEMBER

With the end of Timberman, and the start of Autumn later in September, comes the end of the tri season for many New Englanders. One last big local race is the FirmMan Half Ironman in Narragansett, Rhode Island. I did this as a relay in 2005 (I did the bike), and I was signed up again to relay it on Sept 9th (scheduled to do the bike).

Prior to the race, I did one last long ride in Sharon on Sept 3rd. Andy & Beth were great to do a 4th loop with me, as they had planned to just do three loops initially. [Sept 3rd entry.] We totaled 50.58 miles at a pace of 16.3 (total time 3:06:03). So, my goal bike time at FirmMan was within reach….

Sept. 9th came and I choked. I needed to ride to course at a pace of 17.6 to ride it at my goal time of 3:10. I ended up averaging 16.6 mph for a total bike split of 3:22. Oh well, I’ll be back. It was a fun day, though, relaying with Suzanne and Daniel. Overall, we finished in 5:46:33. And, I met John and the family for the first time… in person!!!!

Also with Autumn came the last open water swim of the season (and of 2007) for me and my swim partner. We were lucky, though, because we had a heat wave a few days prior, so the water, and the air, was quite alright on the morning of our last swim, Sept. 26th. I had been thinking we’d be putting on our tough guy and gal faces to brave our last open water swim. But no, sir! Although that award does go to a handful of our brave (crazy?? nahh…) team mates!

Just four days following my last swim of the season, came my last triathlon race of the season, and my first ocean water swim in a race. All rolled up into the Buzzard’s Bay Sprint held on Sept, 30th. [Race Report posted on October 9th.] RESULTS for the 1/3 mile swim, 18.5 mile bike (actually 20 mi.), and 3.1 mile run: Total—2:06:11 (would have been nice to break 2:00, maybe next year); Swim—17:32; T1—4:14; Bike 1:10:03, 17 mph avg* (actually faster, as I said this ended up really being 20 miles!! Yeah!); T2—2:25; Run 32:00; 203rd our of 226 total / 9th our of 14 Athena. I braved the jellies, enjoyed the bike and run course, and generally had a fun time. Conquering the ocean swim in a small sprint race, and having fun were my two key goals. Oh, and biking at least a 17 mph pace on the bike. So, I accomplished all three! This was a pleasurable race and one I will do again as an end-of-season fun race!

I focused my comments on triathlon for the month of September, but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my favorite race, Reach the Beach, which happened on the 14th- 15th of this month. This was the 3rd consecutive year and so we were team “On the Run to the 3rd Power”. [Race Report in pictures is posted on October 9th. While I don’t have all the pictures, the ones I were able to post sum up this good time!] With 12 runners in two vans making up one team, and 12 homemade personalized team tee shirts complete with frogs, one Brazilian torpedo, one guy who just looves hill running so much he not only sounds like but looks like sunshine even after a nasty leg 3 climb, one horn honking Spanish-speaking Portuguese translator, one very red hot mama (or mamacita), one cool mascot that can really jump, one Mary from Michigan, one way too sexy for her tee-shirt team mate, two fast veteran lady rabbits, one turtle who surprised herself by running sub-nines on few occasions, one woman who—while she didn’t drink any Brazilian juice, and while she ran pretty fast for herself over the course of the race— still managed to be allowed the privilege of being dragged across the sand to the finish by someone juiced up by Amazonian magic powder (who by the way, runs pretty gosh darn fast without the juice!), one partner in crime who for the first time in all of these years was not in my van, and one newcomer to RTB who proved to all that he could hang with the ladies…yes with 12 runners in two vans making up one team, and we had a heck of a good ol’ time.

Year One we did it in 33:24:41, and finished 11th from last.Year Two we did it in 33:32:39, and finished 11th from last.Year Three (this year!) we did it in 32:58:33, and finished 14th from last! woo-hoo!

OCTOBER

Triathlons are finished in September for me, however I usually close out my ‘year’ with a road race—The Tufts 10K on Columbus Day. This was my 3rd year running this race. (Well, last year I ran/walked it, as I was just getting back.) Two years ago, I PR’ed. I knew I wouldn’t PR this year, but I had hoped to still run sub-1:00. I ended up running 1:01:37, pace 9:55. [Race Report posted Oct. 8th.] I was happy with this, because I had been plagued with foot pain recently. The pain usually came after I ran. In this race, the pain came on towards the end of the race, and after the race I could hardly walk. Yes, I had plantar fascitis. Julie confirmed what I was wondering after the race as we walked back to the car. But, focusing on the positive, I was happy with my time. You see, two years ago I was in the best shape of my life and I PR’ed with a total time that was only 2 minutes faster than this year’s race. Yes, two minutes is a lot of time, however in 2005 I was not injured and I was at my best weight and in my best shape ever. So, considering all of this, I was happy with a time of 1:01 and a half.

Paddy’s Road Race came on October 21st. I hadn’t been running because of the plantar fascitis, but I decided to run this race as it was only 3 miles. I ran 29:31, pace 9:50. Again, I was happy because I hadn’t been running so my goal was to run sub-10 minute miles, and I did. However, the time had come to truly face the fact I was in pain here and treat this ailment. I went and bought a Strausberg sock (thanks Deb, Julie & Robin), and started wearing that to bed. It helped a little.

NOVEMBER

I had planned to run the Gobble, Gobble, Gobble Thanksgiving Day, but knew better. I was still having discomfort, so I opted to go to my parents’ earlier that morning and forego the race. No running this month.

DECEMBER

I was scheduled, and registered for, the 30th Annual Jingle Bell Run which was to be held in Somerville this year. Since it was in my ‘hood, I thought it’d be a good test for the ol’ foot. I had ceased wearing the German sock to bed since the pain had been slowly decreasing. I was still wearing shoes around the house. The pain seemed to go away, so I started wearing slippers whilst home. The Jingle Bell Run was postponed from the weekend of the 15th to the 23rd. During this time, the pain resurfaced. I didn’t run. The 23rd was also my RI day to see my parents before they headed off later that afternoon to Nevada for Christmas.

Now, I am wearing my clogs again—all about house and outdoors. I am staring to wear the sock again, and I saw my massage therapist once this week, the last week of this year. Boy, since I had pain only in my foot (and not in my calf), I didn’t think the plantar fascitis was so bad. That is, until he found the trigger point in my foot…and calf. Actually, I still don’t think it is sooo bad. I mean, hey, comparatively speaking, it is much better that a stress fracture that had me out for a whole season. Yes, if anyone actually read this far, before you say it, I know some people have this condition for a week or two, and others who have it for months and months. But I am going to wear the sock again, get myself into PT, and compliment that with calf stretching during the day and a couple more trips to my massage therapist. Yeah, before you say anything, I am still planning to run the New Year’s 5 K. My feeling is that it’s just a 5K and it’s not going to make me any worse. And the regimen will continue before and after Jan.1st.

So, my Autumn was really empty with no running, really. Little swim, lots of work. Such is life sometimes. However, despite this small running setback, MUCH was accomplished this season.

THIS SEASON,

I benefited from the experience of awesome coaching, good times with good friends (some of whom I had not known prior to this year!), and consistent training in order to finish my 1st Olympic and 1st Half Ironman races. While at the end of 2006 my goal was to do Timberman as my 1st Half IM, I am really glad (for several reasons) that I kept the goal of completing a Half IM but switched the race to the Patriot Half IM.

Also this season, although I don’t think I wrote about in on the website (but if I recall, I did pop out an e-mail or two), I survived the snapping turtle of Walden Pond (not a myth, folks, NOT a myth...), as well as a few small jellyfish in Dartmouth, Mass.. I also found my way back from Haven Terrace with a little help from my friends. And with a little help from these same friends, we’ll always remember that day. Other friends helped me learn how to hill climb and how to be persistent even when you blow up at the start of your run split in a race. Yet another friend reminded me that I’m steady. Steady gets you out of the water once you go in. And from Walter last year: “Slow and steady finishes the race.” It also brings you back to Haven Street. And it keeps you going whether you’re a turtle running sub-nines if you’re lucky, well-trained and motivated, or whether you’re trying to out swim another turtle.

2008

What’s next? What’s 2008 shaping up to be?

Well, January 1st is the 5K and Ocean Plunge. I’m hoping it’s warm like last year. Fingers crossed because I’m plunging anyway; I’ve decided it opens the year with good luck. I’m feeling really good about 2008, but we can always use a little luck, too! After that, I will concentrate on four general things this winter:

(1) curing my foot

(2) cycling

(3) consistent swimming, and

(4) finally, finally, loosing 20-25 lbs. and keeping it off. That means getting to my Fall 2005 weight and staying there.

Basically, 2008 will be a year of getting really fit—‘physically plus’.

RACE SCHEDULE 2008

My race schedule is not fully decided. It will certainly include a Half IM—probably Providence, maybe Patriot. It will also include an iron-distance AquaBike (either official or unofficial…meaning Cambridge MD Sept 27th or Sharon, MA sometime in late July/early August).

I’m looking forward to it.

2008 will be great. Hehe.

2007 RECAP:

January: Hangover Classic 5 K & Ocean Plunge (32:28, pace 10:27)

April:

Boston Marathon - volunteered w/ TNT

Doyle's 5 Miler: "Official" no chip timing - 53:44, pace 10:45; My watch - 53:20, pace 10:40

James Joyce 10K Ramble: 1:06:42, pace 10:44 (actually 1:04 & change)

June:

Mooseman International (1st Olympic): Overall 4:04:17 (619 of 660); Swim 42:02 - 617, T1 9:30 - 657, Bike 1:51:51* (14.6 pace*) [*Bike time actually 1:46; 15.47 pace]- 589, T2 5:53 - 657, Run 1:15:02 (12:05) - 601.

July:

Patriot (1st Half Ironman): 1.3 mi swim, 59 mi bike, 13.5 mi run: Overall 7:35:35, 470 of 490. Swim 49:42 (494), T1 6:05, Bike 3:41:19 (457) [3:25 at 56 miles], T2 5:06, Run 2:53:25 (461).

Danskin: Swim Angel

August:

Timberman Aqua Bike: Total: 4:39:21 (46/52 Overall Athena; 20/26 Female). Swim 50:58 (47), T1 6:52, Bike 3:41: 32, pace 15.2 (42).

September:

Firm Man Half Iron Relay: Overall: 5:46:33. Swim (Suzanne) 36:38, Bike (me) 3:23:05, (3:22/16.6 pace), Run (Daniel) 1:44:44.

REACH THE BEACH RELAY: Team On the Run to the 3rd Power: Total - 32:58:33

Buzzard's Bay Sprint: Overall: 2:06:11 (203/226; 9/14 Athena). Swim 17:32 (204), T1 4:14, Bike 1:10:03, 17.o pace (182), T2 2:25, Run 32:00 (202).

October:

Tufts 10K: 1:01:37 (9:55 pace).

Paddy's 3 Miler: Gun and Chip = 30:45; My watch = 29:31 (9:50 pace).

Merry Christmas to all who celerate this holiday

2007-12-24T14:35:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

happy birthday to me

2007-12-11T07:05:00.001-05:00

Today, I finally caught up with my official USAT age.

EDIT: Yes, and according to this wonderful governing body, I turn another year older in about 7 weeks. Thanks, USAT. Another birthday on Feb. 1st. Lovely. 38, 39, who's counting?

Wow, it's been a while

2007-12-10T10:50:00.000-05:00

Wow, it's been a while. I still need to post my end-of-season race review. To come. To come.

Work has been busy. I have been dealing with plantar fascistis (sp?), but am not worried about it. It's getting better, and I will attempt running (easy -- just for fun) in the Jingle Bell Run this weekend. This will be my first run since Paddy's Road Race. We'll see how it goes for the foot.

Also, I just came into some money (nice thing about birthdays) so I will finally be purchasing a digital camera, so that means more pictures on this website! (I can hear you all now-- "ooohhhh......ahhhhh....."). Maybe I'll even post a picture of an organic GALA apple :) I've been comparison shopping for months now, so I have it narrowed down to a few versions of Canon & Nikon. The good thing about birthdays around this holiday time is that lots of stuff is on sale. I have been known to spend my birthday gift money on Christmas gifts for other people, but not this year. I will get the camera and....register for the new Rhode Island 70.3.

I started going to Master's swimming last week. I like it. And, starting this week, I'll add it to my off-season 2x/week bike class on Tuesdays & Saturdays. This bike session started Dec 8th, and the first weeknight class is tomorrow, Dec 11th. I can't wait!

And....I just joined a gym!!! BSC built a new gym very close to me and it has a POOL. Pools in gyms are very hard to come by in these parts. And because I got in on a charter membership (they don't open to the public until the end of this month), I got a great deal. I'm sooo excited that I'll be able to take spinning classes again! I am glad I waited and did some "gym shopping". (I was a member of my old gym for about 6 years and quit one day in April when I entered the facility and found out that they had taken out all of the spinning bikes!) Not having a gym membership wasn't an issue from April - November since I was outside the whole time, but now I'm finding I really need a gym. I think this will work out just great!

The gym will also help because I enlisted the help of my coach to loose 20-25 lbs by June 1st. Per my request, he agreed to weigh me in every Saturday after bike and we'll record it each week. This is just what I need. Oh yeah, he wanted to post my weight on the board in the 'shed' (where we have bike classes). I said no, but suggested a compromise: that if I don't loose 5 lbs five weeks from now, he can post it. That's pressure. Good pressure. And so it will go. I began Saturday Dec 8th. He will not be posting anything from now till June. :)

Lastly, remember that today is Human Rights Day .

2007 season review to come soon.

Paddy's Road Race, 10/21/07

2007-10-30T16:44:00.000-04:00

Paddy's Road Race - 3 miles
West Newton, MA
October 21, 2007

Overall official times:
Gun time - 30:45; Chip Time - 30:45

Obviously something is wrong here, since I started in the back. Thank goodness I had on my watch and timed it.

REALITY TIME = 29:31
Pace = 9:50 min mile

Was looking to do under 10 min miles since I haven't been running. So, this is good for this race. After the Tufts 10K, I self-diagnosed plantar facsitis (sp?) and I haven't been running. This was a fun race, but my foot hurt afterwards.

Thanks to Andy for the post-race tail gate!!!

Here's a funny photo of me from the race. While I haven't been running, I put on about 5 lbs. But, I just joined Master's swimming and started lifting so I'm sure that will help the issue.

ON THE RUN to the 3rd Power: Reach the Beach September, 2007

2007-10-09T19:35:00.001-04:00

Robin: Year 3 and I'm still asking, "Where's Carlos??"

Well, this is my 3rd year doing this relay race called Reach the Beach . Year One was amazing. Year Two was alright. Year Three was, once again, amazing--amazingly fun! Just A LOT of fun! It's approx. 200 miles (actually, a little more) in 24 hours (actually you get about 36). This year, we started at Cannon Mountain, NH and ran to Hampton Beach, NH.

Our team of 12 had no injuries, everyone ran their three legs and ran them well and we had F-U-N!

This was my 1st year in Van #1 and, I have to say, being in van 1 was easier overall, even though my legs were harder than my previous two years.

Year One we did it in 33:24:41, and finished 11th from last.
Year Two we did it in 33:32:39, and finished 11th from last.
Year Three (this year!) we did it in 32:58:33, and finished 14th from last! woo-hoo!

It's hard to put into words and sentences something that even closely resembles a race report. So instead, I'll just post a bunch of photos.

Race report in photos! I'll post some here. However, note that there are MORE TO COME. :-)

Me and the Team Mascot

Team ON THE RUN to the 3rd Power: At the finish line!
Top: Brian, Marla, Robin, Liz, Amy, Mary, Lon
Bottom: Uly, Julie, Carlos, Lisa, Krista

Me & Liz

JUMP!
Me, Liz & Mary from Michigan:
Doin' the Mascot Dance at the Finish Line,
Courtesy of: House of Pain

Uly & the Team Mascot at the Finish!

Team ON THE RUN to the 3rd Power -- We Reached the Beach!!

Red Hot Mamacita Lisa

Me in Van 1

Mr. Sunshine

Krista

Honk! Honk! Here I am :-)

Wait! I need to drink my juice.

Can I try the Brazilian juice? Maybe it will help my stomach?

Wow! That hill was a piece of cake, man! Hills make me happy!

MORE TO COME. :-)

Tufts 10K Race, October 8, 2007

2007-10-08T19:00:00.000-04:00

31st Annual Tufts 10K Race
Boston, MA

Total time: 1:01:37
Pace: 9:55

This race was today. It's my 3rd consecutive year running it. Two years ago I PR'ed my 10K time at 59:18. Last year, I was injured and walked ~ miles 4 - 5 1/2. This year, while I didn't beat my PR time, I hadn't set out to do so, and I was very pleased with my time and race.

I wasn't sure of a goal or a strategy when I showed up. I had planned to enjoy the race. I planned to moderately push myself, as I had just done my 2nd trail run ever yesterday and ran 5 miles (lots of fun!). I didn't plan to beat my PR; I knew I couldn't, but I thought I could do something that would allow me some contentment with my running. I hadn't yet known what that was at the signaled start of the race.

I was at the starting line, and unlike the strategy that really worked well for me two years ago (starting slow, slowly increasing my pace a third of the way through, and pushing all out the last third of the race), I decided to do something different after my first few steps over the timing mat. I had thought if I had started slowly, I wouldn't be able to push as much as I wanted, so I decided to start out faster than usual...not fast....but faster than usual and try to hold it.

I haven't been running consistently as I'd like. Plus, I have been dealing with something (ahem, ignoring something) the past 4 - 6 weeks that I know now is plantar fascitis. I haven't been able to make Wednesday track once since we began a few weeks ago, due to work. I finally came to terms last week that I would not be doing Wed. track at all.

This morning, I didn't know what I could do today, but I thought I could run 10:00 miles. I started out what seemed faster -- not fast -- and I reached Mile 1 at ~10 minutes. I continued to run, not slowing down. I figured that I would probably slow down the last two miles, but I didn't care. I thought that if I ran like this now, maybe a bit faster at times, and slowed down a bit the last two miles because I was tired, I'd still make 10:00 min. miles. I had planned to do the usual 10:1 (run 10 min/walk 1 min). I walked each water stop for 60 seconds. This was a good idea, as there was water each mile (I think) and I can't run and drink anyway. The walk break made me feel good when I started running. My heel was hurting a bit, but it hurts MUCH less when I run, so I was happy to be running!

Between miles 4 & 5 I got a bit tired, but I kept running. I wish I had figured out the Garmin I just bought, because I am really curious: I think I PRETTY MUCH stayed consistent throughout MOST of this race re: my pace mile per mile.

I was pushing myself and I was having fun. I was able get myself over to the side of the street to high five about 5 -6 kids as I rounded the corner from Comm. Ave. onto Arlington Street. At one point before reaching this corner, while I always knew I wouldn't go sub 1:00 today, I had started to shoot for 1:00 something.

Soon after, at another point, I realized I would miss that and shot for 1:01 something.

I ended the race with a time of 1:01:37. This was ~ 2 min. slower than two years ago but it was OK. I was feeling great about my time. I felt strong crossing the finish line. Two years ago race day, I was in the best shape weight-wise and running-wise of my life. Fast forward two years exactly to today, I'm still ~18 lbs heavier, I haven't been running as consistenly as I'd like to have been running this summer, and the past 4-6 weeks have left me not biking or swmming consistently as I'd like, either. And I was only ~ 2 min slower than two years ago when I was in the best shape of my life.

So what does that mean to me? Well, I'm loosing the extra weight slowly, but loosing. I'm currently devising a good off-season plan. I just joined Master's Swimming. Despite a possible temporary setback with this new plantar fascitis diagnosis, I have a lot of potential.

As for today, I was able to not think about my overall time for parts of this race, and when I was thinking about time, I was still having fun getting over to the kids and high-fiving them. And 1:01:37 left me crossing the finish line with a smile on my face. I felt good. And, as I "closed out" my 2007 season, I felt good about what I'll be able to do next season.

Reach the Beach pictures and Season Recap to come....

Buzzard's Bay Sprint Finish, Sept. 30, 2007

2007-10-05T23:10:00.000-04:00

Thanks John & family for snapping my photo crossing the finish at the Buzzard's Bay Sprint September 30th! Last triathlon of the season!

Buzzard's Bay Sprint Triathlon RR, Sept 30, 2007

2007-10-05T20:33:00.001-04:00

Buzzard's Bay Sprint RR
Dartmouth, MA
Sept. 30, 2007

1/3 mile swim, 18.5 mile bike (actually 20 mi.), 3/1 mile run

Total time: 2:06:11
Swim - 17:32 (204)
T1 - 4:14
Bike - 1:10:03 [17 mph avg] (182)
T2 - 2:25
Run - 32:00 (202)
203rd out of 226
9th out of 14 Athena

RACE REPORT:

I set out to do this as a fun, end of season race. I also planned to do it in order to complete my first-evah ocean swim in a triathlon. I’m scared silly of jellyfish, which sounded quite funny today when I was telling my friend Kendra about the race. I missed her fabulous birthday celebration Saturday night because I was at the North Dartmouth hotel. She just laughed when she was listening to me and then said, “But Robin, you’ve been in shark-infested waters with me and you’re telling me you’re scared of jellyfish?!?!??” ha ha. She was right! About a year ago, we were in Belize snorkeling amidst all types of creatures, including SHARKS! I didn't personally see the sharks, but she did, as well as others. Pretty funny. I have to say after this observation of hers, I did mention the turtle this summer at Walden Pond, and she did seem a bit more reserved about that, especially when I said they are snapping turtles….

Anyway….my Race Report:

PRE-RACE, THE DAY BEFORE:

I headed to the race site but wasn’t able to get there before registration closed. I wanted to ride the course leisurely and register. However, it was going to be dark in about an hour, so I decided to drive the course. I made a wrong turn somewhere and ended up off the course and at Horseneck Beach. I decided to park and walk around the beach for a few minutes before heading to the hotel to meet Marla.

I had really wanted to ride the course leisurely, really because I had not been on my bike AT ALL since FirmMan—about THREE WEEKS. Oh well. I reminded myself that I had no time goals for this race; it was to accomplish the ocean swim and have fun—no matter what the time.

Met Marla at the hotel. We relaxed, went to dinner and then back to the hotel for sleep. I’ll forego the story of the woman in the room above us (one floor up) who was making mega noise, how we called the front desk and they said they’d take care of it, and then how this woman was knocking at our door and when we didn’t answer, she called and I squared off with her on the phone but not until she after she got banana-nasty. (Meaning #2: She almost went bananas and got real nasty. Banana-nasty.) Lovely. I can hold my cool, but one need not stay cool with banana-nasty peeps. For once here was a race that started at 10:00 AM; Marla & I were actually going to get 8 hours sleep before a race. Unheard of! Still is unheard of! Although, I have to admit, we still got more than the usual timeframe of sleep.

RACE DAY:

We woke up, ate breakfast in the lobby of the hotel (also unheard of, usually) and headed off. Since I didn’t ride the course the day before, I had said before bed that I just wanted to ride 10-15 minutes on my bike race morning before I set up transition. I don't usually do this, but I thought it was a good idea this time. While it was a good plan, it never happened. We opted for an extra 10-15 minutes of sleep. :-)

It was a great morning weather wise. John C. came over to me, having spotted me in transition. Then, after I set up, I turned around to see my friend John M. located right across from John C. in transition. I introduced the two Johns. Then, Marla & I saw Charlie and Greg, listened to the announcements, and started walking to the start. We again saw John C., so I introduced him & Marla and we three headed down. Everything was so well organized. I was very impressed with the organization, I have to admit.

SWIM:

Here we were! Ocean swim here I come! When signing up that week, I decided at the last minute to register Athena, so I was in the last wave, with first timers, relay, and females 50+. The water looked a little choppy, wavy, whatever --- not “that” calm. They said that we would be swimming with the current, so that was good. We were swimming counter-clockwise, which was not good (I realized during the swim). I was chatting with a few women. I realized one of them, Sandi, was the woman next to me in transition. I mentioned that this was my first ocean water swim in a tri. I said that I was a bit suspect about the jellies, because I still was suspect, although I wasn’t too worried because my swim partner’s girlfriend mentioned to me a couple weeks ago that it was too cold for jellyfish. “Oh yeah", I said to her. "You're right!” Even race morning, with the weather having been pretty warm, I figured it was too late in the season for jellyfish. I was suspect, but not that fussed. Until this woman, Jenelle, told me not to worry about the jellyfish. “Don't worry. There not bad here.” Hmmm…So, they are...here. But it was too late to worry. I figured they might be out there, but as Jenelle said, “they’re not that bad here”.

It was an in-water start. The water was shallow out to the 1st buoy, which was where we’d start. You could walk about 2/3s of the way to that buoy, but I swam. I thought I saw one. It was very small, white, almost transparent. Maybe I was making it up, I thought to myself, and disregarded the sighting. Especially since we haven’t even really started the race yet! What did not come to mind was, “Maybe I’m making it up. Like I was making up seeing the flash of lightening at Walden.” Good thing that thought did not come to mind at that moment. But there was a very clear parallel, as I would soon find out.

Our wave started and so did we. It didn’t feel like I was swimming with the current (and wouldn’t feel that way until I turned the last buoy). I didn’t like swimming counter-clockwise, either, as I kept turning my head into a wave since I breathe to the right. I can breathe every third stroke in the pool, but that's after I’ve warmed up, so in a race I usually breathe every stroke to my right.

I swam, not that fast, but was happy I was swimming in the ocean. About two thirds of the way through, I saw a jellyfish. It looked just like that first sighting so I now knew this was actually jellyfish #2. I had said all season that one jelly fish--I’d probably keep going; two jellies I was OUT. While my swim partner’s girlfriend was WRONG, Jenelle was right. These weren’t THAT bad. I kept swimming.

Just before the left turn back to shore, I saw another one. And another one, and another one. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. I started to see a #8, but decided right away that it was better to stop counting at #7, since #7 is supposed to be a lucky number. I cannot really say how many I saw in all (since I stopped counting) but I think if I had continued counting, I would be able to say I saw somewhere between 9 and 12 jellies. I thought at that moment that I could keep swimming, but I better make sure to keep my mouth closed enough so one doesn’t swim in! I can say that I was thankful I had a short way back to shore, and I can also say that I was thankful that it was feeling like I was finally swimming with the current behind me.

It was supposedly a 1/3 mile swim. It seemed longer. Who knows. It was slow swim.

Time = 17:32

T1

I walked into T1. When I heard the announcer say “#131 from Somerville, MA walking into T1”, I shuffled a bit more. No socks, but definitely gloves. Headed off. It was still a long time, but less time than usual. I was glad to have finished the swim. Ocean swim in a triathlon. Check. :-)

Time = 4:14

BIKE

I hadn’t even thought about time goals in any specific way. I knew I hadn’t been on my bike in three weeks (no exaggeration—last time was Sept 9th at FirmMan). I had spent my time thinking about the swim. Then, I was on my bike. I went up the first of two hills on the course. John had warned me. One hill out of transition, and one hill at around 3 miles. I had heard reports that the rest of the bike course was flat. However, Charlie mentioned before the race that many people have different versions of “flat”. Hmph. Don’t we know that! So I expected two hills and maybe some rollers, maybe some false flats. I hit John’s two hills, which I actually saw on the ride the day before in the car (saw them before my wrong turn). Then, there were a few false flats. (especially at ~mile 10-11). However, at Mile 5, I noticed I averaged 16 mph.

Once I saw that, an immediate goal flashed into my head. That goal was to ride the course at least at an average of 17 mph. Since the course was primarily flat, and I was at 16 mph and getting a bit warmed up, and since I had not been on my bike in 3 weeks, I thought this was a reasonable goal. Off I went.

The good part about racing in my AG, or in a relay, is that I’m around a lot of people on the bike. The bad news is that while I’m passing some, I'm also getting passed by a lot. Racing Athena and being in the last wave has me riding alone a lot, but also affords me the opportunity to pass more people than those who pass me. I can pass a lot of the people who passed me on the swim. They may pass me again on the run, but I can get a good number of ‘em on the bike. :-)

I rode. It was tough given my time away from my bike. But it was still FUN. I really like riding my bike.

I ended up averaging 17 mph since the course was 20 miles, not the advertised 18.5. John confirmed this for me after the race, too. Plus, I made sure I started my computer at the timing mat out of T1 and I looked at the distance at the timing mat into T2. I was happy. I thought about what I could have done if I had been riding and training since FirmMan, but I’ll have to wait until next year to find out. I was content with meeting the goal I set 5 miles into the course.

[Diversion: Let me tell you this story, though: So, I’m riding my bike, I picked off three people, I could see one more not too far ahead. I was out to pass him! However, within no time, there was a Subaru Forrester riding next to him. I figured this car was afraid to pass the cyclist. There were now two more cars behind the Subaru. It seemed that the drivers were a bit frustrated, too, as I noted how the first one took a sharp left and how the second one finally passed the Subaru, on the left crossing over a double yellow line.

The Subaru was still there, and looked to be driving alongside the cyclist. It was my turn. There was not enough space in between the cyclist and the car to pass the cyclist on the left. I thought about passing the car on the left, too, but now there were cars coming in the opposite direction. I rode behind the two (the car and the bike) in the middle back, for a minute as I figured out what to do. Finally, the car moved an inch to the left and I passed. As I passed, I looked at the cyclist and said, “What’s up with these guys, huh?” I got an awkward smile back. As I passed a woman popped out of the top of the Subaru’s sun roof with a camera with a HUGE zoom lens. I thought to myself, “Wow. These are the race organizer's photogrpahers. They should know better than to block the cyclists!” I planned to talk with Max Performance, as up to that point, I had been highly impressed with their coordination. I don’t think I would have gone any faster than my average of 17 mph, even though it took a good bit of my momentum away and added some time. Maybe 17.1, but I wasn’t as miffed as I should have and could have been, I’ll say that.]

Time = 1:10:03 (20 miles and 17 mph average)

T2

I headed into T2. As I racked my bike and was switching shoes, I hear the announcer say, “Here comes Kevin Dubuque from MTV’s (named of show…I forget)!” Then it dawned on me. It wasn’t the organized race photographer! It was the MTV filming crew! Then, I got a little ticked. Not at Kevin. He was having fun. More at big name media who think about themselves –getting the shot they want – and that they are not concerned at all that they were holding up other cyclists – in a RACE. Luckily, I had hit my goal that I set at 5 miles out and came in at 17 mph. Therefore, I wasn’t totally riled up. I looked up and shouted to Kevin, “So, they were YOUR crew!” He smiled awkwardly again. I smiled, too, to show him I wasn’t angry at him because the dumb MTV crew, over which he had no control, held racers up.

I headed out, still having fun. This was a fun race!

Time = 2:25 (wow, I thought I was faster…)

RUN

I didn’t care about my run. I should have, but I didn’t. I was running (not too fast), smiling, soaking up the weather. Uh-oh. Right away, I had something in my shoe. I didn’t wear socks; it felt like I had a twig under the ball of my left foot. I was approaching the first hill out of transition. I thought to myself that this was probably a phantom feeling. I thought I felt a twig. But there was no way a twig could have gotten in my shoe. But, I didn’t check my shoes before I laid them in transition. There’s no way I have a twig in there. But boy, it sure feels like it. If I feel a twig like I see jellyfish, then I certainly have a twig in my shoe. I thought to run with it in there. But then, I had decided I would run slowly up the hill and I was now at the hill. I decided it would take too much time to take my shoe off. Then, after a few more steps, I decided that it would be a real pain to run with a twig for about 3 more miles. “It’ll be quick, I have no socks on,” I thought. I stopped. Shoe off. No. Twig. HAH! It was a phantom twig! But, I made the right decision, because twig or no twig, when I put my shoe back on and started running, the twig feeling disappeared! That was good.

What was bad, was that I now thought I lost a lot of time, so instead of running faster than planned up the hill, I walked it. You see, while I was more comfortable running, I lost some of my running mojo after stopping to take my shoe off. But, I was still having fun. I ran, I walked, I was cheering people on running in the opposite direction. I saw Louise from Trifury. I was having fun. I was walking more than I should have been. Oops. It was a nice course.

Time = 32:00

I wondered what would have happened if I ran faster. Oh well, I can find out next year.

That’s right. I decided I don’t like these ocean swims. I won’t do too many of them, but this one wasn’t that bad. I’d do it again. It was a fun race, overall. Well organized, great location, nice course, and a fun end of season race. And next year, if I see it in my way again, I’m riding over the Subaru. ;-)

It was great to see the two Johns, Louise, and meet a few new people. Congrats to John C for doing the swim sans wetsuit (start looking for sales!) and on the 20 mph avg on the bike! Congrats to John M for coming out solo anyway! Hope you had fun! Thanks for staying to see me finish! Congrats to Louise C for placing in her AG! Fun stuff, Marla, glad you did the individual race with me!

Total Time = 2:06:11

Last tri of the season. Although it’s a road race, the Tufts 10 K this Monday officially ends my 2007 season. Then, the recap and the off-season begins.

Also -- thanks to John & his family for snapping my photo. I'll try to post it this weekend!

Last Open Water Walden Swim was Wednesday

2007-09-28T13:59:00.001-04:00

Well, my swim partner and I did our last Walden swim of this season on Wednesday. I had planned for it to be chilly--until this heatwave struck. It was actually nice--air and water. Water at first was a bit chilly, but I use that adjective loosely. Once I was fully submerged and I put on my swim cap, the temp was just fine.

However, I cannot say the same for myself! It had been about three weeks since our last open water swim. We had planned every Wednesday with the exception of last Wednesday due to my swim partner's work schedule. But then I had to cancel the 12th due to Reach the Beach preparations. So, the last time we swam at Walden was Sept. 5th. This was also the last time I swam, period!

I was surprised b/c I was only a minute slower than usual on the way out, and between 60 - 90 seconds slower on the way back. However, it FELT like I was about 3-5 minutes slower! On teh swim out, my arms were so tired, I just wanted to stop swimming, but I couldn't--and I wouldn't, of course.

When we reached the far side of the pond, I remarked how slow we were. To which my swim partner replied that it had been three weeks. So when I thought about it, one minute slower actually wasn't that bad for no swimming in three weeks! What was bad, was how much I could feel it had been three weeks off!!!!

It was still fun to swim though and I can now say that I have only had one turtle sighting this season. One too many. But at least I can say I saw the turtle.

What is funny is that upon reaching the beach, my swim partner (who had been there for a couple minutes....) said that he heard some guy say to his buddies that he saw a turtle. Thank God I missed that one.

Oh, and speaking of Reach the Beach, those pictures are coming. I pick up the last set tonight and will try to post soon. It will take a while, so I need some seat time at the 'puter to do it.

So, now....indoor pool here I come! October is the month to sign up for Master's Swim!!! I have already contacted the coach for a program/team that has come highly recommended by a couple people I know. I plan to keep my regular Saturday coached pool workout with the crew and supplement with 2x/week workouts in this Masters' program.

And this weekend, I hope to put the skeleton together for some type of off-season plan.

Even though my season officially ends with the Tufts 10K --summer always seems to REALLY end for me Columbus Day weekend, and likewise this weekend simultaneously rings in the start of Autumn. (And I have signed up for the Buzzard's Bay Triathlon...even AFTER seeing John's reconaissance pictures!!!).

playing around

2007-09-21T21:36:00.001-04:00

Hmmm... tried to post them with a larger size. It worked!

Me and Mia, August 2007

2007-09-21T21:24:00.001-04:00

Me and Mia (my niece) Henderson, NV August 2007

This was a quick 4 day weekend at the end of August. More pictures to come. Here are three for now. (Also Reach the Beach was last weekend!!! Most fun race around. Have some pictures; others still need to be developed. Hold your horses. They will be coming!)

RR: FirmMan, Sept. 9, 2007

2007-09-17T16:27:00.000-04:00

FirmMan Half Iron Relay
Narragansett, RI
Sept. 9, 2007

OFFICIAL RECORDED RESULTS

Swim: 36:58 (Suzanne)
Bike: 3:23:05 (Robin)
Run: 1:44:44 (Daniel)
Overall: 5:46:33

Yep. I choked. No 3:10. I actually finished in 3:22 on my clock. That is 16.6 mph, not the 17.6 mph I was shooting for. Oh well. I gave it what I could. I went into the right turn of hills (that little lollipop course before the turnaround) at a 17.0 avg mph. Coming out, I was at 15.8 mph avg. I thought I could get it back and then surpass to hit 17.6, but I hit the headwind again once I came out of the lollipop and turned back onto Rte 1. I had that headwind going in, too, but was able to push through it. After the hills and in the headwind again, I was just too tired, so I had bursts of speed coupled with some times at 13-14 mph.

I thought I could still manage 17.6 until I hit the ~35 mile mark. Then, I knew I wouldn't be able to get to 17.6, or 3:10. So, I pushed for 3:15. I managed to squeeze out 3:22 for a total average of 16.6 mph. I'm disappointed but okay. I still think I have 17.6 in me for this bike course, but I certainly didn't have it in me that day. Oh well. FirmMan will be there next year :)

However, we had a blast! I think that is a GREAT race to relay -- it's towards the end of the season and it's a great venue -- right on the beach! It was H-O-T towards the end of the bike and for the run. And the swim wasn't that easy either. But Suzanne (swimmer) and Daniel (runner) did great. We all had fun, so that's what really counts.

Also(!): I met John, his wife Kathleen and the kids! The whole fam was there!

GREAT RIDE TODAY!!!! I think I'm back.

2007-09-03T21:43:00.001-04:00

I had a great ride this morning. I was psyched because my friends Beth & Andy also decided to ride the Sharon course this morning. Beth e-mailed me last night. They planned to do 3 big loops; I planned to do 5 big loops. (The course has two loops. A big loop at 11 miles and a small loop at ~4.5 miles.)

I was a little late and I called to tell them to go ahead and ride. But, since they are so nice, they waited for me. They also were fixing a flat tire, so that made me feel better.

We took off and I figured I'd stay with them for one loop, then drop back (not that I would have wanted to drop back...). I had mentioned that I was going to do 4 big loops. (Internally, I was deciding whether to do 4 loops or the originally planned 5 loops.)

We had a great ride and we rode the first three big loops together. I was going to take a left into the parking lot with them, exchange my water bottles, say goodbye and then do one or two more loops on my own. However, they started to take a right.

"Where are you going?" I shouted.

"To do another loop," they replied.

"But you did three."

"Yeah, but you're doing four!"

And they rode a fourth loop with me! How great is THAT?

Half way though the loop, I silently decided that 44 miles would be enough and I would end the ride with them after this fourth loop. I thought to myself, "They planned to do 3 loops; I planned to do 5. We'll all do 4 loops."

Just as I had that thought, Andy said, "OK, when we finish this loop, we'll do one small loop for about 50 miles total."

"Huh?" I thought to myself. "Uh, okay", I replied.

So, we did. It was a great ride. Great weather, we held a conversational pace the whole way. Andy checked our average mph after each big loop. 15.7, 16.2, 16.3, 16.3. After ending with the small loop as a recovery loop, he checked again. 16.2 average.

I just walked over to check my bike computer from today's ride.

Total miles: 50.58
Time: 3:06:03
Average; 16.3 mph

Conversational pace. Yeah!

Thanks to Beth & Andy for riding with me the whole way! It was a fun ride and a nice morning!

I needed this ride.

Hmmm..... after today I think I just might be able to do that 3:10 on Sunday... despite the 16 day hiatus, and despite being doped up on meds that give you cotton mouth. I'll have finished the meds by the end of Thursday. And I'll also have finished the planned 20 mile easy ride. I'm back on schedule with the bike.

3:10 will be tough, but if I have a good day that day, I think I can do it. Cocky, no, not really. Actually no, not at all. Just regained optimism coupled with a heady goal.

Today, I got back on the horse

2007-09-02T15:35:00.000-04:00

Julie, Marla, Krista and I rode the 28 mile CRW route out of Nahanton Park into Dover this morning.

This morning, still in bed, I really didn't want to ride my bike. THAT was not the usual course of business for me. I love riding my bike. I chalked it up to not riding in 16 days -- two weeks and two days (I can do that math, folks) and thinking that it was going to be an awful ride.

Upon arrival at the park, I felt like I was starting from scratch again. I knew it would be temporary. However, I had trouble just getting from the parking lot to the street. Once I took the right onto the street, though, I felt better. Still, I figured the ride would be tough when I thought about how the swim two days earlier felt.

It took me a while to feel like I "kicked in". Like one hour and 23 minutes, to be exact. That's what my computer said when I felt good riding-- 1:23. Despite this, I had a good time, enjoyed riding my bike, and felt like I was glad I got out of bed and onto my bike.

I plan to ride five loops of the Sharon course tomorrow. I need to. I don't know how 3:10 will fare on Sunday morning--I mean, I don't want to say I can't do it, but....I might go as far to say it's a long shot. Riding ~50 miles tomorrow, however, is a necessity. I'm ready to do it, even if I do it by myself.